Lou McCloud ran faster. Looking back she could see him. The more she ran the more he seemed to catch up with her. "You're all grown up, Louise.!" His voice was haunting her as she ran even faster. Her legs felt like lead but she continued running tears sprung from her eyes. His voice boomed behind her "You're all grown up, Louise!" He sprang for her capturing her, knocking her down to her knees. She screamed and pulled away but his arms were tight as steel around her. He pulled down and stripped her. "No, please no!" She never thought he would find her again. His breath on her skin made her skin crawl, as did his hands on her body. She kicked and sprung her hands at him. "You're mine, Louise!" She screamed but no-one came; her voice echoed though her ears.
Louise sat staight up in her bunk, sweat pouring down her body. She screamed as a hand touched her shoulder. She turned it; was her fellow rider, Ike.Sshe fell into his arms. The screams woke the other riders from their sleep. They raced to Lou; even though she dressed like a boy, they had found out she was a girl when she had to go to St. Joe to get her sister and brother from a orphanage. They were at her side in a second; they loved her like a sister.
"What happened?" Cody asked Ike. He was still holding Lou tight.
*I don't know, she woke up screaming* the mute rider explained.
"I am fine. Just a bad dream." she said to her protectors.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Buck asked his friend.
She shook her head. "Maybe someday."
"Anytime you need us we are here." Kid said. Ike released her. She laid back down as they returned to their own bunks.
Maybe I should tell them she thought. She returned to sleep; this time to a peaceful dream.
THE END
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